I don't own Warriors. For the record, the last chapter was poking fun at Romeo and Juliet. They knew each other for an hour and planned their wedding. Vanilla and Spark knew each other for less than a day and are mates.

I decided to put this up as a Christmas present to all who read this. Coincidently, the season is Leaf-bare.

Shadow didn't move from the alley for a long time, staring at the place Spark had stood. It was Moonhigh before she moved at all. She hobbled back to the alley and slid into her box, ice starting to form on her fur. She shivered. Why should I go on? Maybe I should just go back to Vanilla's Twolegs. I have nothing here.

She paused. I've fought so hard to get here. Being abandoned didn't kill me. Ginger's death didn't kill me. I won't let this. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

"Are you sure you don't want me to take care of her?"

"I'm sure. It wouldn't help, anyway."

Blade and Shadow were returning from a hunt. Well, it was more like Shadow who went hunting and Blade did the guarding. The silver tabby had noticed the Spark and Vanilla were acting like mates, which was now official. Blade grumbled, "It'd make me feel better."

Shadow purred softly through the half-eaten fish she had found. "I know, but I said before that if anyone got rid of her, it would be me. I've considered it, but even if I wanted to do it, I'd have to think of a way that wouldn't be suspicious."

Shadow led the way into camp. Spark was training Vanilla again. She just walked past them without a glance and put her prey on the pile. Then she went over to her den and began washing.

As she finished with her tail, Shadow noticed Algernon was leaving camp again with no one else. He's been doing that quite a lot lately, especially at dusk. Maybe I should follow him. She stretched casually and made her way to the entrance. "I'm just going to get a drink of water." She told Makly, the cat on guard. He nodded and let her pass.

Shadow crept down the dark street, her fur blending in perfectly. Algernon's lighter pelt was much easier to see. He led her almost to the Moss-heap, the sacred place of the Tribe. Then he turned into an alley. Shadow waited, listening.

"Spark chose Vanilla over Shadow." Algernon meowed.

"Give me news that's worthwhile!" Shadow tensed at the new voice. Who is that?

Algernon continued, "Soon enough Sting will - what's that?"

Shadow realized she had been leaning too far. She spun around, into the face of Vanilla."What the?" Vanilla's expression morphed into terror.

"What's going on here?" Shadow turned again and saw a massive golden tabby behind her, Algernon next to him. "Spies, I presume."

Shadow narrowed her eyes. "Algernon, you're a spy!" She yowled, hoping it carried all the way back to camp.

The golden tabby growled, "What should I do with the two of you?"

"Rip them apart, Leo."

"Please, don't hurt me." Vanilla whimpered. "I'll join you if that's what it takes." She crouched down. "I'll remain loyal to you, Leo."

Leo's eyes gleamed. "Of course you can join us. You will be known as Slash."

Shadow called, "Of course Vanilla and Algernon are traitors! Not surprised."

He looked at Shadow. "You must be the wretch Shadow that Algernon always griped about. I would've thought he disposed of you by now. However, I can make good use of you." He grabbed her scruff and started dragging her away. Despite all the noise she was making, no one came.

Blade opened his eyes as a faint yowl reached his ears. "Of course Vanilla and Algernon are traitors! Not surprised." Shadow! He scrambled to his paws and ran outside. Sting was surrounded by a few cats. One of which was Spark.

"What was that?" Jay asked, fur ruffled.

Sting lashed his tail. "That was Shadow. Makly says Algernon left camp. Then Shadow. Then Vanilla went after them. I sent out Makly and Gray to follow them. They said that the scent just petered out."

Blade unsheathed his claws. "Do you think that what Shadow said is true about the traitors?"

"Probably. We haven't seen any of them since."

By the way, Shadow didn't escape because A) Leo is way bigger than her and B) there are three enemies. Have a merry Christmas.